Ground was broken on Sunday for a new building at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, which will include a memorial and museum to combat antisemitism at the site of the deadly 2018 hate crime shooting. The memorial will honor the victims of the mass shooting that left 11 worshippers dead and six others wounded. Most of the synagogue was demolished starting earlier this year.
On October 27, 2018, a white supremacist committed the deadliest attack on American Jews in the nation's history at the Tree of Life synagogue. Gunman Robert Bowers burst into the synagogue armed with multiple firearms and shot congregants with an AR-15-style rifle, resulting in the deaths of 11 individuals and injuries to several others, including responding police officers.
Bowers was sentenced to death last August on multiple capital counts and life sentences. The new building will serve as a tribute to the victims and a beacon of hope for the Pittsburgh Jewish community, aiming to teach important lessons and combat antisemitism.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, speakers, including second gentleman Doug Emhoff and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, highlighted the rise in antisemitism across the United States and emphasized the need to stand up against evil and promote education and empowerment to combat hatred.
The new Tree of Life building is envisioned as a place where individuals can find strength to unite against evil and work towards a better future. Community and religious leaders stressed the importance of renewal and education in the fight against antisemitism, aiming to create a space that fosters understanding and unity.
